Nature and parks in Moldova

Nature's Best: Caves, Falls & Views

Moldova’s natural landscape is defined by unique subterranean networks and limestone formations. This collection features the Emil Racovitsa Cave, one of the world's longest gypsum caves, and the 1,700-meter Peștera Surprizelor. Beyond the caves, the list highlights significant hydrological sites, including the Dniester River's Dubasari Dam and the seasonal waterfalls of the Tipova region. From the cascading Bulboana to the panoramic limestone cliffs of Stânca Corbului, these locations represent the diverse geological and aquatic heritage of the Dniester and Prut river basins.

Nature's Best: Caves, Falls & Views — Map

CristinaKodenn / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Valea Morilor Park

Urban park in Chisinau featuring a large central lake, a granite staircase with 218 steps, and an open-air theater.

Post of Moldova / Public domain

B

Emil Racovitsa (Zolushka) cave

Also known as Zolushka, this is the 3rd longest gypsum cave in the world, stretching over 90 kilometers across Moldova and Ukraine.

Dzero I. / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Peștera Surprizelor

Moldova's second-longest cave, featuring a 1,700-meter network of limestone tunnels formed by tectonic movements near Criuleni.

Dzero I. / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Peștera Surprizelor

A 1,700-meter-long cave system near the Dniester River, characterized by narrow passages and multi-level limestone galleries.

E

Dubasari Dam

Hydroelectric dam on the Dniester River constructed in the 1950s, forming the Dubasari Reservoir.

F

Stânca Corbului

Limestone cliff formation offering panoramic views of the Răut River valley within the Old Orhei archaeological complex area.

G

Rybnica

Tributary of the Dniester River that flows through the northern regions of Moldova and Ukraine.

H

Rybnica

River flowing through the Transnistrian region into the Dniester, known for its limestone banks.

I

Rybnica

Watercourse in northern Moldova and Ukraine, contributing to the Dniester River basin.

J

Rybnica

A tributary of the Dniester River characterized by its path through steep limestone valleys.

K

Cascada Bulboana

Waterfall located near the northern village of Naslavcea, formed by the Bulboana stream.

L

Cascada Tipova

Series of cascades located near the Tipova Cave Monastery, dropping over limestone steps toward the Dniester River.

M

Cascada Tipova

Natural waterfall situated within the steep canyons of the Tipova landscape reserve.

N

Cascadă secată

Seasonal waterfall that typically only flows during the spring snowmelt or following heavy rainfall.

O

Cascadă secată

A dry cascade formation that reveals the tiered limestone geology of the Dniester riverbank.

P

Cascadă-Izvor

Small waterfall fed by a natural spring emerging from the limestone cliffs.

Q

Cascadă

Natural water cascade located along the rocky tributaries of the Dniester River.

R

Cascadă

Small waterfall formed by local stream runoff over limestone ridges.

S

Saghin's Residence

Viewpoint located in the southern Giurgiulești region, near the confluence of the Prut and Danube rivers.

T

Cascade (1-1.5m)

Low-elevation cascade located near the village of Gordinești in the northern rocky canyons.

U

Dubasari Dam viewpoit

Elevated observation point overlooking the Dubasari hydroelectric station and the Dniester River.

V

Cascada

Natural waterfall found within the rugged terrain of northern Moldova.

W

Bublikova skela

Limestone cliff viewpoint offering vistas of the surrounding river valley landscape.

X

Plane Spotting

Designated area near Chisinau International Airport for observing aircraft takeoffs and landings.

Y

Putryne Lake

Shallow lake located in the Lower Dniester wetlands, part of a protected ecosystem shared with Ukraine.

Z

Grotele de la Volodeni

Natural grottos carved into the limestone cliffs near the village of Volodeni.

Pecera Karmeluka

Cave named after the 19th-century folk hero Ustym Karmaliuk, located in the rocky bluffs.

Peștera Răposaților

Also known as the Cave of the Deceased, this site is located near Naslavcea in the northernmost part of the country.

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